Current Projects
BIN 1: Micro-Environmental Influences upon ES Cell Pluripotency and Differentiation
Team Lead: Derrick Rancourt
Team Members: Hasan Uludağ, Michael Kallos, Tina Rinker, and Ken Muldrew
Specific Aim 1: Development of ECM preparations for supporting ESC pluripotency and differentiation.
Specific Aim 2: ECM proteins promoting ES cell differentiation in bioreactors.
Specific Aim 3: Effect of localized growth factors upon ES cell pluripotency and differentiation.
Specific Aim 4: Effect of fluid flow dynamics upon ES cell pluripotency and differentiation.
BIN 2: Transplantation and Imaging
Team Lead: John MatyasTeam Members: Jeff Dunn, Steve Boyd, Benedikt Hallgrimsson, Derrick Rancourt, and Hasan Uludağ
Specific Aim 1: To develop new techniques for imaging skeletal tissue structure and function.
Specific Aim 2: To develop preclinical models for testing the effectiveness of therapies that promote skeletal regeneration.
Specific Aim 3: To use the techniques developed in SA 1 to evaluate the models developed in SA 2.
BIN 3: The Periosteum and its Role in Skeletal Regeneration
Team Lead: Michael UnderhillTeam Members: Jane Aubin, John Matyas, Roman Krawetz, and Steve Boyd
Specific Aim 1: Characterization and comparison of purified skeletogenic progenitor and stem cells from bone marrow and periosteum.
Specific Aim 2: Characterization and comparison of the reparative abilities of skeletogenic progenitor and stem cells from bone marrow and periosteum.
BIN 4: Mechanobiology of Fracture Healing -Fracture in a Dish
Team Lead: Neil DuncanTeam Members: Steve Boyd, Jeff Dunn, John Matyas, Derrick Rancourt, and Ron Zernicke
Specific Aim 1: Development of ex vivo burr hole fracture model (fracture in a dish) with mechanical stimulation.
Specific Aim 2: Finite element analysis of burr hole micro-mechanical environment.
Specific Aim 3: Effect of mechanical loading on differentiation in burr-hole fracture model.
